Tropical Storm “Meari” makes landfall in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Tropical Storm “Meari” made landfall in Shizuoka Prefecture, close to capital Tokyo at 08:30 UTC (17:30 LT) on Saturday, August 13, 2022, with maximum sustained winds of 72 km/h (45 mph). The storm caused disruption to the roads and train and air services during the peak summer holiday season, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.
- Weather officials are advising people in the storm’s path to be on the alert for landslides, flooding, and high waves.
- Thunderstorms and very strong rain are expected primarily on Japan’s Pacific coast and the Tohoku region, with some areas likely to be hit by torrential downpours and some parts seeing more rain if linear rainbands develop.
The approaching storm brought 233.5 mm (9.19 inches) of rain to Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture and 208.5 mm (8.20 inches) to Shizuoka City in the 24-hour period through 11:30 LT Saturday.
More than 50 mm (1.96 inches) of rain per hour is expected to fall in the Tokai, Kanto and Koshin regions over the weekend.
In the 24 hours through Saturday evening, up to 300 mm (11.8 inches) of rain is expected in Shizuoka, 200 mm (7.8 inches) in Kanto-Koshin, and 150 mm (5.9 inches) in the Izu island chain.1
JMA has issued a warning about potential disasters, including landslides, flooding in low-lying areas, overflowing rivers, strong winds, and high waves, particularly in the central Japan Tokai region, which includes Shizuoka Prefecture.
In the city of Shizuoka, 72 000 people were told to evacuate due to heavy rain, with the local government later reporting that two locations had been hit by landslides, with one cutting off five residences.2
Numerous flights and train services have been canceled.
References:
1 Tropical storm expected to make landfall in Japan on Saturday – NHK – August 12, 2022
2 Typhoon Meari makes landfall on Japan’s Pacific coast – The Mainichi – August 13, 2022
Featured image credit: Tropical Cyclone “Meari” at 08:10 UTC on August 13, 2022. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules:
We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these rules. By commenting on our website, you agree to abide by these guidelines. Thank you for helping to create a positive and welcoming environment for all.